Coat

After a couple of weeks of nonstop jocks-as-jerks news, I'd just about had it with athletes. Whether it was our own bong-inhaling Olympic swimmer, or the New York Yankees' 'roid-injecting A-Rod, I was ready to swear off following the fortunes of these physically gifted yet mentally suspect sportsmen. But then, just in the nick of time, an unlikely champion came along to make me believe again. Waddling rather than striding to victory Tuesday night, on four short legs instead of two long and lithe ones, he was stumpy rather than studly.

To find a coat and tie to wear to dinner at Tersiguel's restaurant last night, James A. South, who lost nearly everything he owned in the fire that destroyed part of Main Street in Ellicott City this month, had to borrow from friends and pay a visit to Sears.But he did get a free gourmet meal last night -- with the promise of more, much more, to come.Fernand Tersiguel held a $100-a-head fund-raiser last night at his restaurant on Main Street to help victims of the fire Nov. 9. More than 300 people showed up, donating more than $40,000, with promises of more donations to come, said Janet Kusterer, a spokeswoman for the event.

MOST OF us can remember at least one gift that highlights the true spirit of the holiday season. Sometimes it's a gift that we hoped for, knew was too much to request, but ultimately received because someone made the sacrifices necessary to make our dream come true.Sometimes it's a gift so unique it finds its way into family folklore and it's talked about for years.William Winchester Elementary School Principal Mark Vigliotti will never forget the year his daughter, Sarah, who was then 6, went shopping with her two sisters, Laura and Beth, and found gifts for her parents.

* Item: Oven Fry Fish Fry* What you get: Enough mix to coat 24 small fish fillets* Cost: About $2* Preparation time: Coat fish and fry; or bake for 12 to 20 minutes* Review: When I lived in Milwaukee several years ago, I got hooked on a great local tradition: the Friday night fish fry. Of course, that was when I could still eat fried foods without feeling guilty. Oven Fry's new coating mix solves that problem. The cornmeal-and-flour-based mix is flavored with onion, garlic and paprika. The baked-in-the-oven fish (I used ocean perch fillets)

The crime report is a sampling of crimes in Howard County compiled from police. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-313-3700.East ColumbiaKilimanjaro Road: 9500 block, Oakland Mills. Two gunmen forced their way into a home, threatened two residents and stole a cellular phone about midnight Friday. Police said the gunmen knocked on the door and when a resident opened it, the pair forced their way into the house. One of the residents ran out of the house and called police from a nearby business while the gunman stole the cellular phone.

Six score and 14 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln appeared to return -- in this case to rob a Friendly's restaurant in Kings Contrivance before driving off in a light blue Camry, Howard County police said.The man -- wearing a beard, top hat, tie and long coat -- walked into the restaurant in the 8600 block of Guilford Road about 4 p.m. yesterday and approached the cash register, said Lt. Sandy Regler, a police spokeswoman.He opened his coat and showed the cashier a gun. The employee handed the man an undisclosed amount of cash and fled in what police said was a stolen vehicle.

IF YOU LIVE in an old house, it's highly likely that you have plaster walls and ceilings. Most people love them -- they're a good, solid surface -- but they can pose problems if they're damaged. We get a lot of questions about dealing with various plaster problems, especially when it comes to replacing it.But let's start with some plaster history. You can determine the approximate age of your home by the type of plaster and/or the way it's applied. If you have wood lath behind the plaster, your walls are probably built before 1930 or so. If there is horse hair in the brown coat (the layer under the white coat)

150 years ago in The Sun Nov. 15: Stealing a Coat -- Some knave yesterday walked into the establishment of Mr. Edwin S. Tarr and soon afterwards walked out again with a coat more upon his back than he had when he went in, having walked off with the overcoat of the proprietor.100 years ago in The Sun Nov. 15: Lieut. Herman G. Dresel, of the United States Navy, committed suicide in the lavatory of the Carrollton Hotel about 10: 15 o'clock yesterday morning by shooting himself through the brain.

Quick to the finishIt sounds too good to be true: nail polish that dries in 90 seconds or less. We put three brands to the test, and here are the results:REVLON TOP SPEEDAdvertised time to dry: 90 seconds for one coatNumber of shades: 52Most popular: Dusk (mauve), Toffee and Skin (light pink)Cutting edge: LavenderComments: This brand gave the best one-coat coverage but was still slightly tacky at test time. It also was the most expensive. The Lapis shade was a hit with our young testers. Adults liked Flesh and Sherry.

MOSCOW -- Anyone who hopes to persuade a Russian not to wear fur better have the cunning of a fox, skin thicker than a mink's and the humor of a hyena. People here consider the fur hat a birthright, and a prudent woman who could never dream of buying a car would think it unremarkable to have a full-length fur coat parked in her closet.Toni Vernelli was well fortified yesterday, full of sly strategy, the warmth of conviction and a willingness to laugh. Snow was in the forecast, and she and two Russian confederates were parading along the sidewalk, pretty much naked, shouting, "Only animals should wear fur."

A woman whose home was burglarized as she stayed with her daughter was shocked to spot her belongings offered at a neighbor's yard sale, Anne Arundel County police say. The woman recognized an array of her items - including Christmas decorations, Beanie Babies, an Oriental rug and a dresser - being sold by a man who was wearing one of her T-shirts, charging documents say. Police said they found $25,000 worth of her clothes, furnishings and other possessions...

After a couple of weeks of nonstop jocks-as-jerks news, I'd just about had it with athletes. Whether it was our own bong-inhaling Olympic swimmer, or the New York Yankees' 'roid-injecting A-Rod, I was ready to swear off following the fortunes of these physically gifted yet mentally suspect sportsmen. But then, just in the nick of time, an unlikely champion came along to make me believe again. Waddling rather than striding to victory Tuesday night, on four short legs instead of two long and lithe ones, he was stumpy rather than studly.

Even before prosecutors started sniffing around for Sheila Dixon's fur coats, her people were worried. Should the mayor wear fur? Forget the animal-rights politics. Dixon, a black belt known to threaten bodily harm with high heels, said she'd take care of any PETA types who'd dare douse her with red paint. Dixonworld was worried about racial politics. Fur plays fine in black churches and neighborhoods, where it is seen as a symbol of success. But in white areas, be they working-class or upscale, not so much.

A night out on the town is always a good reason to get dressed up. Unless you're Dr. Michele Henley. She doesn't need an excuse to gussy up because she does it almost every day. Too bad many of her patients don't get their own glimpse of her style. Her outfits are usually covered by her white coat and stethoscope. Age: 33 Residence: Windsor Mills Job: Internist at Patient First, Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital Self-described style: Modern The look: Calvin Klein faux leopard coat. Anne Klein green cardigan.

The holidays are a great time to shine - literally. Any other time, your paillette-dotted top or sateen skirt might look out of place, but during the holiday season, a little sheen is not just expected, it's more than welcome. We like the way Shoshana Zaslow wasn't afraid to shine like a superstar, even while on a simple workday commute at Penn Station. She could have been safe with just the handbag or the boots, but she added a bit of holiday gleam by throwing on a matching vinyl jacket.

He was messing with the wrong guy. When 80-year-old Thomas Ward, a former city councilman and retired Baltimore Circuit Court judge, heard someone hollering "Police! Police!" while he took a walk the other day near his home in Bolton Hill, he didn't flinch. Glancing across the street, Ward said, he saw a man trying to get out of a fenced yard behind a house on West Lafayette Avenue. "I know the people in that house," the judge said. "It wasn't his." As the man - about 6 feet tall and burly, and much younger than Ward - began clambering over the 8-foot fence, Ward recalls running up to him and saying, "Come on, baby, you're all mine."

Habitat for Humanity benefit is tomorrow Habitat for Humanity of Howard County is holding a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. tomorrow, starting and ending at Copeland's restaurant on Little Patuxent Parkway. Registration is $25, and prize money is awarded. Funds raised will go to help Habitat build homes for people in need in Howard County. The course runs through Wilde Lake and is one of only two recognized and nationally certified courses in Maryland. More than 200 runners are expected. All registrants will receive T-shirts, and there will be music and a DJ. The first three runners will receive portions of $1,000 in prize money and others can receive other prizes.

Good morning -- Roger Federer -- You got a pink carnation to go with that white sport coat?

I have had some unfortunate home haircuts in my day, captured in school photos for the amusement of future generations. There's one in particular that stands out. I am about 8 years old, in a maroon polyester dress with a drooping collar that manages to create a "beagle-ears" effect. But it is my hair that commands attention; I am sporting startlingly asymmetrical bangs that slope sharply down my forehead. I remember sitting for home haircuts on a stool in my basement; hair dripping wet, a towel pinned around my shoulders.

Better workplace is workshop's goal The Carroll County Business & Employment Center will hold a human resource workshop, "Tools for Building a Strong Workplace Foundation," from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the BERC office, 224 N. Center St., Westminster. The workshop will cover workplace issues that professionals deal with daily. Registration is required. Information: 410-386-2820. Carroll Chiropractic sponsors coat drive Carroll Chiropractic will hold a Coats for Kids drive Oct. 23 to 27 at its office, 330 140 Village Road, Unit 9A, Westminster.